Back to Basics: Curl-Enhancing Sprays

These oldie-but-goodie products stood close by me during my crazy hair days as a teenager. I find that sometimes the most simple and inexpensive drugstore products can often be better than the expensive designer types. These scrunching sprays are great for those of who have a perm that's on its last leg and they are also great at giving straight and limp hair a little body. I know that at some point you've had to have used at least one of these! Which is your favorite?

L'Oreal Studioline Pumping Curls ($3.52) is a light, curl-boosting spray with a sweet smell and a nonsticky feeling. Also, it helps reduce frizz and you can use it on wet or dry hair. Pumping Curls was my hair product of choice in the '80s and although it's not something I see regularly on the shelves, when I see it around from time to time, I love to reconnect with my old best friend!

For two more curl-enhancing sprays for your hair, read more

Aussie Scrunch Spray ($5.49) is an amazing, grape-smelling curl enhancer that you spray on damp hair to create a big, voluminous look. I used to flip my head over, spray my head in little sections, and then scrunch up my hair to help create curls. I'd scrunch and scrunch until the spray was dry! Now I just spray the roots and then blow-dry to add volume to my straight hair.

TRESemme Curl Activator Spray ($4.79) Just because the packaging on this is new, don't let it fool you. This baby is old school and it works great to protect hair from heat styling while helping to enhance your curls with just a few spritzes. It also has a firmer hold than the rest. The smell on this one doesn't entirely blow me away, but it's not bad, just more potent and not as sweet.

I loveeeeeeeee the loreal pumping curls. I still buy the white bottle. I tried the new verison and stilllll enjoy the look the white bottle gives me. I buy the white bottle online since they took it off the shelf.

As a gal with naturally curly hair, I have to say that these products don't work well if you have tight ringlet curls and coarse hair. This hair type, which I happen to have, is easily dried out so products like Alterna, Keratasse (sp?) may be better alternative.
I am going to look into frederic fekkai touseled wave spray mentioned by quietriot.
Otherwise spray and scrunch away ladies!

seriously, the entire john frieda line of curl enhancers is THE BOMB. the shampoo, the conditioner, some frizz ease serum and the dream curls spray, then i twist up sections, scrunch 'em up and shake 'em out and let air dry and voila! big, awesome, messy waves.

I love Aussie Sprunch Spray. I use it everyday. It is awesome. I have curly hair and I love Herbal Essences curly mousse in the purple can and the Tres Semme curly mousse (black can with green writing) These are both awesome!!!

Haha @ bluesarahlou - I was about to say the same! I tried desperately at the age of 13 to have curly hair. Really I did. Used tons of the L'Oreal stuff, curled the hell out of my hair. But it refused, and I've since accepted my hair the way it is! No curling products for me ...

Pumping Curls!!! I used to use this allll the time, after I got my hair permed in junior high school. I think they still make that product, I feel like I've seen it recently.
I like the Frederic Fekkai Wave Spray, it works really well.